New farm!

Addy has safely settled into her new home. Yay!

The views aren't *quite* as gorgeous, and we've lost the incredible trails.. but everything else is fantastic! Addy (the plump little dumpling) is now in boot camp. No more grass 24/7, 4 days a week of work. Poor pony. ;) She definitely tries to convince me she's being starved, but she's clearly enjoying the daily attention she receives from the barn staff and her rides. She's such a people-pony.



We now have access to 2 indoor arenas, 2 outdoors, a little loop of a trail, and (soon, hopefully) a track. Even better, the barn manager and head trainer are extremely competent and inspiring.. and the boarders are all very active. Woohoo! Heaven!



I've yet to schedule my first lesson with Christine, but am looking forward to it. She seems to be very exacting, which I like. I want someone who will help Addy and I reach our fullest potential. First we need to get into shape - but I don't think that will take terribly long.



She's not looking too bad for a pony who's been out of work for 6+ months, is she? I, on the other hand, could definitely use some help with my seat/legs/position...

Pony goals

With Addy's move actually in sight, I'm once again getting very excited about riding. I can now pick up Dressage Today without feeling depressed, and I daydream about sweat-drenched summer afternoons at the barn.

This will be a new beginning for us. Since we've both been out of work, correcting bad habits (hopefully) won't be too difficult. She's been out in a pasture using her body as she naturally should, not being forced into any unnatural way of going by an uncoordinated me.

I've been thinking a lot about my goals for the two of us. It's been over two years since we've been in training, and that's quite a long time. So first, we need to get fit. While she's trotting long easy curves on the track, I'll try not to interfere. I'm going to concentrate more on my own body, making sure I'm correct.

My long term goal is to be a balanced, effective rider with a balanced, happy horse. I'm hopeful that I've finally found the right trainer and facility in Maryland. It's taken a few years, and several tries, but I think we've got it this time. Time will tell.

Lime Green & Tangerine!

I'm totally, utterly, drawn to make this quilt. Nevermind the fact that I don't really know how to sew. And the fact that I don't have (and don't want) a sewing machine. My great grandma could make giant, gorgeous quilts by hand - why can't I? ;)

Monday afternoon, in between appointments for Addy, I stopped by Jo Ann's Fabrics and picked up some, well, fabric. (Go figure.) Who knows what possessed me, but I have jumped right into a [Top Secret] sewing project. I've found that I actually really like sewing.. In my usual style, I immediately had grand plans to sew shirts and skirts for myself. Since I find it so difficult to buy anything in my size, it seems like a great idea. Except, not. I think I'm going to have to think about it a little more. I need another hobby like I need another kitty.



Lately I've found monogamous knitting difficult. Perhaps it's all the changes in weather (warm days make me want to knit linen or bamboo tops.. chilly ones bring on visions of warm woolly sweaters)... perhaps it's also the influence of Ravelry. Either way, I have too many projects on the needles to keep track of.

Also in knitting news - I won a contest over at Cloverhill! My prize was a gift certificate to Three Irish Girls, and I have absolutely no idea how to spend it. There are way too many gorgeous choices! Thank you Jolene and the women at Three Irish Girls!

On a completely unrelated note, Ryan and I had late lunch at the Red Canoe today. (Killer blueberry muffins, I swear!) A couple brought their large, lovely greyhound to sit with them on the back porch. While there are definite downsides to having a dog at this point in our lives, I can't help missing having a grey around. They're such cool, soulful dogs.



Someday!

Sheep & Wool!!

Life's been full of ups and downs lately.. Ryan just had his 3rd round of chemo, we had a fantastic trip to Florida, and I *still* haven't gotten Addy moved. (The last is a huge source of stress for me right now - I've had her new farm picked out for a month now, but just can't seem to get it all properly worked out.)

But good news is on the horizon! Sheep & Wool, Maryland's huge fiber fest, is in less than a month! I know that non-fiber types think I'm crazy for even considering attending this event. I wish I could drag them all along.. all the adorable lambs and alpacas are sure to convert them instantly. And then all the colors and textures will hit them....

Admittedly, my favorite part about Sheep & Wool is that my mom and sister are coming up for it, just like last year. That's actually the last time I saw my sister, a fact I can hardly believe. And it's been almost as long since I've seen Mom, so this visit is well past-due.

However, I'm also pretty excited about seeing a lot of indie yarns in person. I've had iffy luck this past year with buying yarn online.. often when it arrives, it's not quite the color I expected. (Though it is almost always gorgeous anyway.) So one of my first stops at Sheep & Wool will be to the Cloverhill booth, where Jolene has gathered yarn from many different indie dyers. (One stop shopping!) She'll be posting about these dyers on her blog as well as holding contests up until S&W. So check her blog out!


Last year I went to S&W with a project list and my budget in cash. This was extremely useful, since I was able to buy yarn for specific projects on my "to knit" list. The year before, I came home with several random skeins of gorgeous yarn that I had no plans for. Cowls are always nice, but I think I will get more for my money if I figure out what I "need" beforehand.

Today's Friday, Rita's is open for the season, and there's a native plant sale this weekend. Things are looking up.

Bad kitties

Our cats don't really like each other. They do, however, like sunshiney windows. And too-long bunched-up curtains.

Can you tell who's the boss? (That look of annoyance on his face!)





Tuck successfully defended his prized throne. But that's okay, because Squirrel got the good view later:



Isn't she adorable?

Home for a pony

My girlie's looking for a new home. Not a new mom, mind you.. just a new home.

We both like the farm she's at now, but there are some issues. 1) Buddies. No one out there ever rides, so the inspiration I so desperately need to make me seriously ride just does not exist. Addy's prime years are being wasted away. 2) Facilities. Being a Florida girl, I didn't quite realize the necessity of an indoor arena. Not only am I not disciplined enough to ride outside when it's 30 degrees.. but the footing freezes! Ugh. 3) Grass. There's just too much of the stuff! Leaving Adventure on pasture 24/7 will surely end poorly. I do not want a foundered pony. Unfortunately, the farm we're at will not stall boarders' horses, and I do not want to muzzle Addy 12 hours a day if we have an alternative.



So I've been farm shopping, which is no easy task! Yesterday I visited 2 farms, and I'm hoping to visit a few more in the coming weeks. My ideal farm would be small, have an active group of dressage riders, offer full care stall board* with group turnout, have knowledgeable caretakers, and be within a 30 minute drive of home. Too bad all that, if it even exists, will cost far more than I'm able to afford....

We'll see. We have until the arrival of spring to get this sorted out.


*A happy alternative would be group turnout, 8-12 hours on pasture, the rest on a dry lot. Unfortunately, most farm managers up here don't seem to understand that while ugly, dry lots are necessary for some horses.

2009 Knits (so far)

I don't feel much like typing, so here:

Cashmere Cowl from The Purl Bee
1 skein naturally dyed cashmere from Habu, A-169
size 6 bamboo needles
Rav link

This thing is light as a feather, and not good for actual winter weather. It also stretches/sags a lot when wearing, but is easily pulled back into shape. But who cares - it feels amazing and is completely gorgeous (in a rustic sort of way).

Turn a Square from Brooklyn Tweed
less than 1 skein Noro Kureyon, less than 1 skein Plymouth Galway Highland Heather
size 4 & 6 bamboo needles
Rav

My 3rd TaS, this one for my brother. 'Nuff said.

Shedir by Jenna Wilson, from Knitty
less than 1 skein Sundara Sport Merino (discontinued) in Grass
size 1 Addi Turbos and DPNs
Rav

My favorite* of the bunch thus far - finally got to use my Sundara Sport Merino. Other than the color though, which is a brilliant green with touches of yellow, I wasn't terribly impressed with the yarn. (Maybe that's why it's discontinued?) All sorts of un-soft.. and I love wool. Guess the superwash is to blame.



With my husband's surgery** coming up, I was desperate for something to knit in the waiting room. I'd planned on knitting a Tempest, but for all the yarn I'd ordered, I couldn't figure out which 2 colors to use. So I needed a new project, and quick. I don't swatch for hats, and I had the yarn, pattern, and needles.. so Shedir was it. The project worked well - it was interesting enough to keep me occupied, but not anything near demanding. And since it's all cabley and knit on less-than-worsted yarn, it lasted. And lasted. All through the waiting room, all through the hospital stay. Perfect.

* So it fits, the pattern is gorgeous, the yarn is cheery for these winter days. Why don't I completely love it? It reminds me of the surgery, the waiting, the pain, the uncertainty. I suspect someday I'll adore it, and will wear it constantly, but.. not yet.

** The surgery was a colon resection. We found out about a month ago that Ryan has colon cancer. He starts chemotherapy in about a month, so I'm guessing I'm going to have lots of little knitting projects going on.